While Rocket Man will be the focus of most attention when he makes his reappearance on Sunday, a promising three-year-old will be out to keep his record intact.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
Speedy Cat will be lining-up for his fourth career start at Kranji when he contests the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1100m on the Polytrack.
The Alvin Tan-trained gelding has gone from a Restricted Maiden winner through to a Class 3 Stakes in just three starts and has proved versatile on both the Polytrack and with his last win on the turf surface.
Jockey John Powell, who has ridden the gelding to his three career wins, will again have the mount on Sunday.
Powell rode the gelding to a debut three-length victory over 1100m on the Polytrack on January 8 before coming out and recording a seven-and-a-half length win over Kompressor in a Novice over 1200m on January 27.
He then graduated to the turf when successful by two-and-a-half lengths over Glownight Racer in Class 3 company over 1200m on February 12.
On that occasion Speedy Cat carried just 52.5kg whereas on Sunday he jumps to 58kg.
“He's starting to get up a bit in class now and he's also jumping in weight,” said Powell.
“But having said that this race doesn't look all that strong.
“He hasn't really been tested by anything with any great class to date but all of his wins to this stage do suggest that he is above average.
“But he is rising in weight and taking on the older horses which is of some concern.
“If he gets to the first leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge (the Group 3 $200,000 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint over 1200m on March 29) then that will be his real test and we'll get to see where he really is ability wise.”
Powell was asked by the trainer to jump aboard Speedy Cat in his barrier trial and on the strength of that committed himself to the ride on the gelding.
He even put in the hard work to ride the gelding 0.5kg overweight when successful at his last start at the weight of 52.5kg.
“He had 52kg last time and I was able to ride him 0.5kg overweight,” said Powell.
“That weight is something I haven't done for six or seven years and that was the reason I didn't go taking too many other rides that weekend.
“I've got a big opinion of this horse and I didn't want to go getting sick and missing the ride because of the heavy wasting.
“Getting down to that weight was important. It showed me that I can do it.
“If I get the opportunity to get on a good horse on the way up that has a lightweight then I'll put in the hard work to ride it.
“Feature races are the important ones where you get the accolades and that is where you have to really work hard.
“I'm prepared for that now providing the right horse comes along and this is one that I was prepared to work hard for.”
While Powell was prepared to forego rides to ride Speedy Cat light when he last stepped out, the Australian jockey won't have to do things as hard this time.
He has nine rides on Sunday with his lightest ride being 54kg.
